What does hemostasis mean?
Hemostasis is the process by which bleeding stops, either because a damaged vessel seals itself or because treatment compresses, cauterizes, sutures, or otherwise closes the injury. The term is especially common in surgery, emergency medicine, obstetrics, and other clinical settings, where achieving hemostasis means establishing enough control of blood flow for safe treatment. It is a formal medical term rather than everyday language, and its adjective form, hemostatic, is used for substances or devices that help stop bleeding, such as clotting factors, surgical gauze, and sealing materials. Hemostasis can refer both to the natural physiological process and to the deliberate production of that process. The word is also easily confused with homeostasis, but the two describe different physiological ideas: stopping blood flow versus maintaining internal stability. Knowing the distinction helps readers understand why a clinician may discuss both in the same treatment plan.
nounThe cessation of bleeding, either occurring naturally when a damaged blood vessel seals itself or induced by treatment such as pressure, suturing, cautery, or clotting agents.
- The spontaneous or deliberate arrest of bleeding from a blood vessel, wound, or other site of injury.
"The surgeon applied pressure to the vessel until hemostasis was secured."
"The surgeon applied pressure to the vessel until hemostasis was secured."
"Hemostatic gauze helped maintain hemostasis after the operation."
The plural is uncommon and may refer to separate instances of arrested bleeding; the singular is normally preferred for the general physiological process or clinical goal.
"The report documented successful hemostases at each operative site."
Hemostasis is the body's emergency brake for bleeding—once it engages, the flow stops.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hemostasis come from?
The medical term comes from New Latin haemostasis, formed from Greek haima, meaning “blood,” and stasis, meaning “a stopping” or “standing.” It entered medical usage in English during the 19th century and initially referred chiefly to the arrest of bleeding. Modern cognates such as homeostasis and metastasis preserve the Greek element stasis, although it participates in different sense developments in those words.
Related word forms
How hemostasis is actually used
This is a formal medical term used particularly in surgery, emergency medicine, obstetrics, and other clinical settings. Its adjective form, hemostatic, describes substances, devices, or procedures that help stop bleeding.
Easily confused with hemostasis
Hemostasis is the stopping of bleeding, whereas homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal physiological condition.